Plan Your Visit

This page will help you plan your visit to Somerset’s Avalon Marshes

Getting Here

Bristol Airport is the nearest airport with a range of domestic and international flights.

Bus

The FirstBus Service 375/376 links Glastonbury, Street and Wells with Bristol, Yeovil and Bridgwater. From Glastonbury the local service no 662 passes through Meare and Westhay to Wedmore.

Bike

Route 3 of the National Cycle Network runs through the heart of the area linking Glastonbury, Wells and Bridgwater. Route 33 provides a link with Highbridge station. The old railway track links the Avalon Marshes Centre with Glastonbury and runs through the centre of Shapwick Heath and Ham Wall natures reserves.

Car

There is good road access to the Avalon Marshes via the M5, A303 and A39. The Avalon Marshes Centre is sign posted from the A39 and B3151 (the Glastonbury to Wedmore road). The principal nature reserves all have car parks and there is plenty of parking in Glastonbury and Street.

Train

The nearest stations to the Avalon Marshes and Glastonbury are: Bridgwater, Highbridge, Castle Cary and Taunton. For more information go to National Rail Enquiries website.

Getting Around

Cycling is the best way to explore the wider Avalon Marshes. The roads, tracks and droves are flat and most are quiet. The Avalon Marshes Centre makes a good base to explore from. To find out more about cycling in the Avalon Marshes go to our Cycling page.

Walking is also a great way to explore the nature reserves, adjoining villages and wider countryside. To find out more go to our Walking page. The nature reserves have tracks, trails and boardwalks some of which are wheelchair and pushchair friendly. To find out more go to our Nature Reserves pages.

Information Centres

Visit the local Tourist Information Centres (TIC) to pick up leaflets, local books, maps, accommodation lists and detail about upcoming events. The Avalon Marshes Centre has a Visitor Information Point.

Maps, Books and Guides

Go to our Maps, Books and Guides page for more information and resources. Many can be obtained from the Avalon Marshes Centre and local Tourist Information Centres.

Stay and Eat

With lots to see and do in the Avalon Marshes you will want to stay a while and sample the local food and drink. There is a wide range of accommodation, a friendly welcome and great hospitality. You can find out more by visiting the Visit Somerset website – Accommodation pages, Food & Drink pages.

Eating

The Avalon Marshes and wider Somerset Levels & Moors have an excellent reputation for quality food and drink. There is a wide range of produce including cheeses and dairy products, extensively grazed lamb and beef, traditional farmhouse cider and local brewed beers, strawberries, orchard fruits and vegetables. Look out for “Levels’ Best” which combines conservation farming with the preservation of native breeds within a wildlife-rich wetland landscape.

Restaurants, tea rooms and pubs reflect this quality and there is plenty of choice to suit any pocket and all people, from award winning restaurants through to brilliant local pubs and small family cafes.

To take away some of this produce, visit one of the Somerset Farmers’ Markets in Wells, Glastonbury or Axbridge or visit local farm shops and stores.

Staying

Somerset is a welcoming, friendly place and the local people pride themselves on their hospitality. There are many options for where you can stay including bed & breakfasts, hotels, campsites and self-catering accommodation.

The local Tourist Information Centres keep up to date lists of accommodation providers. Similarly, Visit Somerset or iknow are good sources of information about where to stay.

Look for those which have received accreditation or that have good reviews. Also try to seek out those that support local businesses and stock food and drink from local suppliers and farms to get a true taste of the West Country. Many of our local businesses have won awards for the quality of stay and experience they offer.